Ste,—The letter in the Spectator of October 21st, signed "
F.R.C.S. Ophthalmic Surgeon," is worthy of close scrutiny since it reveals the attitude of mind of some ophthalmic surgeons towards the supply of spectacles under the National Health Service. This attitude is important since it is the expressed intention of the Ministry to place all ophthalmic work in clinics and mass centres at some future date. If this were to occur, your correspondent would be in charge of a large section of the ophthalmic service, which gives his vidEvs on spectacles such importance.
Careful reading of his letter shows that he lacks any appreciation of the fact that spectacles are articles of dress as well as optical appliances. He scans to think that Mark III spectacles, such as were supplied to soldiers during the war, would be perfectly satisfactory for persons obtaining spectacles through the National Health Service. I do not think that this suggestion would receive favour from any section of the spectacle-wearing community. Moreover, it should be pointed out that the frames and lenses supplied to soldiers during the war were of very poor quality indeed and not a suitable model for copying for civilian Director, Information Bureau, • 65 Brook Street,W.Y. Association of Optical Practitioners.
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